In this study, researchers in Nigeria investigated the phytochemical composition of the root bark of Cassia singueana (African cassia tree) and their reported analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Their findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research.

• C. singueana is used in ethnomedicine for the management of pain and other ailments.
• To evaluate its biological properties, the researchers obtained root bark samples and characterized the phytochemicals present in them using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• They also dried and ground some of the barks into powder and obtained crude extracts (CECs) using 70 percent ethanol as solvent.
• In addition, they obtained several fractions using different solvents, such as hexane (HFC), chloroform (CFC) and methanol (MEC).
• To test for acute toxicity and analgesic as well as anti-inflammatory activity, the researchers treated an animal model with CEC and each of the fractions.
• They induced writhing in mice using acetic acid and pain and inflammation using formalin.
• They then analyzed the phytochemical composition of the most active fraction, which happened to be HFC.
• The researchers reported that C. singueana exhibited analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in vivo.
• Chemical analysis revealed that the phytochemicals responsible for these properties were gallic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin and ferulic acid.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that C. singueana extracts can be used as a natural medicine for pain and inflammation.

Journal Reference:

Michael SU, Aliyu U, Ibrahim T, Samuel EO, Samuel TM, Bulus A. EVALUATION OF ACTIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS LINKED TO THE ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTY OF CASSIA SINGUEANA DEL. ROOT BARK. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 25 June 2019;13(12):288–295. DOI: 10.5897/jmpr2019.6776